Pressure

Shot above the salt ponds in the southern reaches of Shark Bay, this image captures what are known as pressure ridges. These jagged natural lines are formed when salt crusts expand and break apart the surface beneath them, sometimes rising up to a foot high. They’re small in the grand scheme of the landscape, but from above, they take on a life of their own. The abstract patterning is sharp, directional and completely organic, like veins or muscle fibres tearing through the frame. What makes this piece work is the contrast between that jagged structure and the warm, soft tones beneath it. It’s nature’s version of tension and release. I’ve flown over this area many times, and it’s rare to see it come together like this. It’s raw, textural and bold, and it feels like it’s always moving, even though it’s frozen in time. Pressure is one of those pieces that keeps your eye engaged with every viewing.

This piece is part of my International Print Series, a fine art collection capturing Australia’s coastline and abstract landscapes from above.

Shark Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Western Australia. Learn more here.